Sony Vaio Z i5/i7 (VPCZ1) Official Owners Thread Part 2

Hi Ryan, the Vaio Z should support 3 antennas as the Japanese models had an option for a 3x3 Intel card (I forget which one) IIRC. It's just, you'll have to add in your own antenna and put it into the display.

Oh I agree so much, the reception quality is awesome. I can pick up my school's wifi from my apartment (I'm only across the street), but it's at least 100 ft from the nearest building... yet sometimes I can get 5 mbps down (although i'm not sure the default speed, some buildings, like the CS building have Wireless N... 60 mbps down, 55 up <3)

 

Has anyone tried putting 16GB RAM?

I might splurge on the 2x8GB DIMMs but I wanted to see if they work at all in the i5 Arrandales..

Of course, Intel's data sheet says otherwise but they are never accurate.

 

Um... How do you do these two things? I haven't owned a laptop in 3 years.

 

Click the "Start" button then type "Vaio" and you should see the Vaio Control Center listed there.

 

There was this thread where it didn't quite work.

 

Thanks namaiki.

Guess I will be satisfied with the 8GB RAM.


Sent from my iPhone with Tapatalk

 

Can you do a clean install of windows without the disk? How do you set the battery to only charge to 80%? Also, does anyone have the link for the right nvidia drivers?

 

You probably can't do a clean installation without a disc. You need to burn a DVD or maybe you might be able to use a USB stick.

You can set the battery to charge to 80% in Vaio Control Center on the Start menu. (Power Management-> Battery-> Enable Battery Care Function)

The default drivers aren't terrible though some games will require newer drivers.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/342947-my-discoveries-vaio-z-s-hybrid-graphics.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/602497-latest-vpc-z1-330m-drivers-bios-hack-people.html

 

There are no extended sheet battery options for the VAIO VPCZ1x series.

 

Thanks. Is there a way to just reset the system then? Like, so you can register.

 

Just thinking about this... If I purchased the following:
A-1769-453-A COMPL PWB IFX546(WAN_GY,SN)(S)
1-837-478-11 FFC (MBX206-IFX546)
(parts 519 and 508 here)

Would this get me an extra mini PCI express slot? (where the WAN card usually goes) Seems to have the potential for a TV tuner or similar, though I would never use it.

There is a "Restore Complete System" option in VAIO Recovery Center on the Start menu which I think you can use, though I don't understand what you want to register.

 

It looks like it but is it just plug-and-play like that without any soldering involved? It might be just a part layout so I'm not sure what to expect on how to get that chip to be mounted in the space for the mPCI-e.

But of course, there are good uses for this, and I actually was looking into this to use the mPCI-e slot for this.

PM3U (Mini Card to USB2.0 Adapter - M-FACTORS Storage

I can put my logitech receiver inside, saving me a USB outside the laptop.

 

Sorry for the neverending questions.

If I have a 1290x without the WWAN option, does that mean there is an empty mPCI-e slot or is there no such slot available from the factory as I didn't order a WWAN card?

I'm pondering getting the card in the above post, but wasn't sure if there was an open slot for me to utilize.

 

In my Z11 without WAN card, there is no slot so I was looking to purchase one. Though I am curious; where might you purchase the ribbon cable and card slot from? Is there a place that is cheaper than sparepartswarehouse? After I add postage and handling, the price is nearly double..

 

Hmm... I think i remember Zoinks or ComputerCowboy trying to do that (or maybe even Pyr0 or Beaups... now I'm just listing all the crazy Vaio Z modders out there) In any case, i distinctly remember them mentioning although it looks like it's an pci-express, it's actually a USB interface or something of the such... I can't seem to remember where (or who) this was tried

 

That sucks, but I guess I didn't really have anything lined up to put in there. Just getting bored and looking up the possibilities.

 

Sounds about right, Sagers did that too.

But nevertheless, the mPCI-e to USB card should work, which was my purpose of thinking about this slot in the first place...

I was going to open the laptop when I get all the components to upgrade anyways, so I will check then to see if there is an empty slot.

 

Only the spare parts may sell them.. I'm not too sure about it as well. I can only think of eBay, but I doubt the sellers will sell it separately from the motherboard.

 

Hello Everyone. This is my first post so I'm a little shy - shy but desperate. I'm a relatively new Linux user who is trying to become at least moderately competent. I've tried everything I can to solve my problem on my own to no avail. The problem is that I cannot get any Nvidia driver to work with my laptop. I have a Sony VPCZ13BGX, with the Niidia Geforce GT330m. I had my system working fine with Nouveau drivers on a previous install of Ubuntu 11.10 x64, but had to do a fresh install because I had so many broken packages and because I no longer wanted an encrypted home. I do have an image that I really do not want to go back to. My install was so corrupted that I couldn't even get into the recovery console and could find no help on how to fix that.

I've tried so many things that I've probably forgotten all that I've tried. But I think the gist of what I've done thus far is putting my home folder on a separate partition with a fresh install and new partitions, installing nvidia-current (about 20 times) and each time, after the Grub screen, everything goes black. The only thing that allows me to boot is to delete xorg.conf in the recovery panel. Then, once I install nvidia-current, I can open the Xserver that tells me to run nvidia-config as root. I do so, reboot, then back to the same vicious cycle. Once I delete xorg.conf in order to reboot, I only get the low-res screen. I've been working on this for about 4 days. I'm in tears trying to get this to work since I hate that I can't figure it out on my own. Right now, I'm trying to download the 3.1 kernel in hopes that this might help. I've also installed the sony bios hack with the advanced menu, but have no idea what to do beyond that. If anyone can help, please just tell me what information to provide (and how to provide it step-by-step) and I'll do so immediately. Thank you.

 

Whoo hoo!

The new LCD panel for my Z1 came in today and I put it in.

Besides the fact that I no longer have to look at a massive glaring California shaped deformity that was growing on my screen, it has now been upgraded to a glorious 1920x1080 resolution

Thx to ZugZug for the recommendation on where to buy.

 

Do you have the patched BIOS and your Graphics set to static?

If not, patch your BIOS, set graphics to static and you won't have any issues anymore!

 

So just a quick question. I tried loading up Counter Strike: Source on my Vaio Z12 on standard settings (medium detail, 2x anti alias) and the fan went crazy. It sounded it was at full blast and the heat it was outputting from the vent was enough to make me unable to keep my hand there. I was using the Vaio is speed mode with the charger plugged in. Is this normal for this computer because of its small size or is this something unusual?

 

Sounds normal to me, however try check your CPU and CPU temps using coretemp and gpu-z.

 

I've got a Z13M9E right now (i5, 4GB, 128GB Toshiba RAID, DVD), purchased in september 2011 for about €1899, warranty 'till january 2014. I can now purchase an as good as new Z21L9E (i5, 4GB, 128GB RAID, no dock) with official 2 year warranty directly from Sony for €999. Do or don't?

 

What benefit do you see with the Z2? Would you really appreciate having a thinner/lighter/longer battery life laptop than the Z1? I assume you don't really use the laptop for gaming, and don't often use the optical drive?

 

I have used the optical drive about ... once

Do game from time to time. A few times a week. But nothing the IGP can't handle I think.

 

Thanks, I check the temps and i'm getting between (min and max) 71* and 94* on Core #0 and between 69* and 97* on Core #1. On the gpu I was getting about 86*. I'm not sure what normal temps are or what to be looking for. Can anyone let me know?

Edit*: I was also wondering if a 2:30 battery life is normal for 74% battery capacity. Sorry for all the questions but I bought this refurbished and just want to make sure everything's ok.

 

Those temps are about the same that I get - quite hot. I recall that my Z1 used to do a max of only 87C. Still hot, but not ridiculous. Now I've seen up to 98C.

Maybe you can try disable turbo boost for now:
In Power Options> Advanced power settings> Processor power management, set max CPU for 99%.

 

Here is my list of the things that make the Z13 better than the Z21 you are considering (sit back, it's a long list!):

1) You can't expand the RAM or SSD in the Z2. You can easily and cheaply install an additional 4GB RAM in the Z1 and can double your 128GB RAID0SSD (2X128) in the Z1.

2) You can install any 2.5" SSD or HDD in the DVD bay in the Z1; there is no DVD bay in the Z2! Either you value the DVD, which the Z2 lacks, or you don't and you can put, say, a 1TB HDD for music, movies, etc and use the R0s for programs.

3) The Z2 has only 2 USB ports; the Z1 has 3 and you can have a 4th by buying a $15 AKE USB3 ExpressCard.

4) While we're on the subject of ExpressCards, you can use the EC slot to attach an eGPU and, for around $200, have desktop caliber discrete graphics - if you become interested in gaming. Z2 has no ExpressCard slot.

5) You can set the keyboard backlight to stay on all the time in the Z1, not in the Z2

6) While we're on the subject of keyboards, the Z2's keyboard is very shallow due to the thinness of the computer. It's a matter of taste, but some find the Z1's far more comfortable and easier to type fast on.

7) If you want to get the Z2, make sure the one being offered has SATA III/6gb/s SSDs. Many of the European Z21s have SATA II, which is the same as in the Z1. A major reason the Z2 is faster than the Z1 is the SATA III SSDs.

8) While you will get an hour or two more battery life from the standard battery in the Z2 vs Z1, you can replace the battery in the Z1 with an extended battery, which gets 5-8 hrs, 1-2 more than the standard Z2. To increase the battery life in the Z2 you will have to buy - and lug around - a sheet battery. You can get around 12 hrs with the internal + sheet battery in the Z2, but you can get 8-12 hours with one standard and one extended battery in the Z1. Both the extended battery in the Z1 and the sheet battery in the Z2 add weight and bulk, but the Z1's add less of each.

Those are the main differences that come to mind. A Z2 with a 2nd gen Core i7, 8GB and 256GB SATA III SSDs is a speed demon that will leave the Z1 in the dust, but the model you're looking at may have as it's only advantage the 2nd gen core i5 cpu and the better IGP in the HD3000 but even there, the Z1 has the discrete gpu, which is a good bit more potent than the HD3000 and the GMA HD in the Z1 can handle any hi-def video you throw at it.

If it sounds like I'm biased, it's because I am! I have owned two Z2s and sent them both back. Fully equipped, especially with the SATA III SSD, they are stupid fast, but you are not likely looking at well equipped a Z2. The reason I sent mine back was because the 20 second boot time lost its luster (compared to 35 seconds in my Z13) and I felt I was giving up more than I was getting for an additional $1,500 (fully equipped Z2 with useless - but mandatory in U.S. - PMD was $2,600 and my brand new Z1 cost me $1,080.)

With it all, I can see the case for the swap you propose, but definitely not if it doesn't have SATA III SSDs.

 

Yeah I decided to go for a brand new Xperia S instead

The price of the Z21 drops by €100 or more every week as long as it's not sold, and it's on a place on the site almost nobody knows, so should it drop to €700 I'll still buy it, just as an extra 'netbook'

 

Hello guys!

Is it not really possible to burn dual layer disk with vaio Z?
I have tried to burn an 7.5gig movie on an 8.5 gig dvd-9( dvd+r/dl) disc but failed it with my Sony Vaio VPCZ128GG..I did it trice with the same result..
They said that you can change the book type from - to + but
but can't find any reference how to do this with the Matshusita optical drive....in my VAIO Z
Is there anybody here that have succeeded in burning files in dual layer with using the optical drive in their core-i7 Vaio Z?
How did you change the bitsetting....? Please help...
Thanks in advance....

 

yeah it's thin and that's why it heats up. I'd recommend taking out the battery when you game so that it doesnt heat up and degrade faster. Mines hits 100C and has thermal shutdown occasionally

 

Hi guys, I've been a very happy Z user all this time.

I finally decide to upgrade from the stock 4gb ram, and I am wondering does the Z supports more than 8gb, even though the manufacture said it only supports 8gb. So what will happen if i pop in 16gb ram?

Also, now a days both the 1066mhz and 1333mhz ram have similar price, does it make sense to use 1333mhz? 1066mhz ram seems to have CL7 instead of the CL9 from 1333mhz ram, i am just wondering which ram is a better choice.

Thank you in advance!

 

Look a few pages back. Unfortunately more than 8GB does not work.

 

Just wondering, is there a hack in the BIOS that enables EFI boot for the Z1? Insyde H20 is actually an EFI, but for some reason I can't seem to find the right setting. Sony seems to have disabled it...

 

If I remember correctly, you need to disconnect all HDs to have it EFI boot.

 

But how can I make it run the Windows setup as EFI, so my Windows boots from EFI instead of BIOS?

 

Cool. How do you like the Xperia? Also, what site is dropping the price by 100 each day?

 

Thanks for the tip!

I actually did a search on "Ram" in this thread, and click through each result but couldnt find anything.

I will search for it again.

 

Xperia S arrives next week ^^ I'm a bit of a Sony fan, all electronics I have are Sony

The site that drops prices every week is a Belgium-only Sony site. I'd rather not share it, the fewer people know about it the more prices drop for me !

 

Search on NBR is broken, so you would have to use Google search for something like:

Code:

RAM site:http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony-owners-lounge-forum/512472

Anyway, now that I'm not typing on my phone, here's the link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/638526-sony-vaio-z13-upgrade-16-gb-ram-possible-3.html

It would seem that 12GB works, but not in Windows.

 

Will the current Vaio Z model be refreshed soon with the Ivy Bridge series of i5/i7 chips? I notice sony store is reducing the price on processor upgrades.

 

Thanks! Now I'll have to look for a deal on the ram.

 

Aaahh, wait! It would seem that 12GB works in Ubuntu, but not in Windows. Are you sure that 8GB is not enough for your uses?


edit: I suppose I'll write something else as well. This morning I swapped my WD 1TB drive back for my Samsung 1TB drive (optical drive caddy). The WD drive was making some uncomfortable clunking sounds - which could be heard a room away - as if it was randomly losing power and overall sounds too rattly IMO.

 

Using 12GB is not a good idea. The BIOS and CPU can probably not address that amount of RAM properly, and I'm quite sure you'll run into issues.

 

It might work just fine albeit in a single channel mode and not as fast as 8GB. Still better in some cases like rendering huge scenes with a lot of textures in 3D application or using many instances of Kontakt in audio project. I would not do these heavy tasks on a laptop unless hard pressed though.

 

I guess I am fine with 8gb of ram for now. I just like to max the potential for future since there are only 2 ram slots in the Z.

 

guys i am looking to buy a sony notebook(a SB or Z) and i really love the Z model. But the only thing is it comes with a 128GB SSD drive, and i was wondering how much you have left after installing windows, with the basis programas like office, firefox, mail, messenger etc???

Also is there some way to replace the SSD with a non SSD disk..because there is a site where i can buy spare parts and they place in the internal disk section for the Z a 250 GB drive sata of 2,5 ".
So would this fit?? Beacause i find it very strange, but if it is possible.....it would be great!

 

2nd hard drive / SSD caddy - Sony VAIO Z, Z11, Z12, Z13, VPC [SONY-2BAY-Z11] - $43.00 : NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks

You can replace your dvd with newmodeus harddrive caddy and insert another ssd or hdd. I myself just ordererd it and already have a Samsung 1TB hdd waiting here > then I have 256GB SSD AND 1 TB HDD!

Best, Walter

 

Thanks, but i guess this isn't possible with the Z model i saw...because it doesn't has a cd/dvd drive. But maybe for the being untill the ssd drop prices a bit, i can work with music on an external disk..as the notebook itself weighs almost nothing..

Anyway, this one is the model is had in mind VPCZ21L9E VPCZ21L9E (VPCZ21L9E, VPCZ21L9E/B.NL3) : Technische specificaties : VAIO notebooks & PC-randapparatuur : Sony